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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

DS not yet allocated a reception place

46 replies

RainbowSmash · 22/06/2015 22:39

Hi All

Not a first time poster, but long time lurker anyway! I know there are a million and one threads on reception admissions and its clearly an emotive subject... Don't I know it!

I applied on time and DS was offered a place on NOD in April, however by that time I'd got a new job so I rejected DS's place. I called the new LEA on March 27th who told me to email them with my preferences which I did, was then told this was incorrect cue sending out a form etc - DS's application didn't end up being accepted until April 17th. I was then told as it was a "late" application he'd be allocated a school in the second round in May, I called and was told he hadn't been allocated a school but had been put on the waiting list for SIX schools in our area (South London/Surrey border) I ring weekly and there is no change, I aks when DS is going to be allocated a place, any place at any school in the borough and am basically fobed off, they are working through it, they go through the school's each week etc and I will hear BY AUGUST.

Waiting lists are as follows
1st Pref - 3rd
2nd pref - 39th
3rd pref - 11th
4th pref - 2nd (The other two are way down but all six are my closest schools and 1st pref is my closest at 300m away)

Today I call again and get told I just have to wait as nothing is happening, no-one can explain the process, so I emailed reminding them of the procedure on their website to allocate a place at the nearest school with a space (I know this could be 5/6 miles away!) then I called as I was told it takes them up to a week to go through the emails. Just by chance a lady was looking at DS's application and told me I would recieve a place in writing within the week. Great, except I know ALL local schools are full.

I am dreading this - I moved because I am a single parent away from my family so am moving back with my mum for a while. I teach and work long days and hate the fact DS is potentially going to be in a school miles away.

There isn't much point to this really except me moaning about an incompetent LEA really and wating reassurance it'll all be ok one way or another!

Thanks and sorry it's loooooooooooooong!

OP posts:

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DinosaursRoar · 24/06/2015 13:28

Ah, I think the problem in lots of areas of the south east of England is that they've put on all the extra classes they can but still don't have enough places near where people actually live, so are having to shift children all round the LEA to where they can put extra classes on/have spaces.

In our town at least, the northern end of the town clearly needs another 1-2 forms put on somewhere, possibly even another school, but 2 of the local schools have already gone to 3 form entry over the last 2 years, one more have gone to 2 forms and the only ones that are still 1 form just don't have any space to put on extra classes (it wouldn't just be a bulge once, they need it for the next 3 years as well).

Croydon seems another area like this one where the parts of town where they can put extra classes on aren't the areas with the most need...

Ragusa · 24/06/2015 13:38

The duty to provide a school place for every child who requires one derives from the Education Act 1996 and the statutory School Admissions Code.

admission · 24/06/2015 22:59

The rules around places in schools were clarified and there is no doubt that the LA has to offer a place for a 1st September start. The "game" played before was around the fact that the child was not 5 so no need to find a place until they were about to be five. That has now been clarified, places must be available 1st September.
OP, you should appeal now for all 6 schools. You have been rejected by all six and therefore you have a right of appeal. The fact that no offer has been made is not a reason to not allow appeals. You have a good reason to appeal, you have no school place and the LA are unable to offer in your 6 nearest schools.

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 24/06/2015 23:23

Hi admission I didn't realise I could appeal as we don't have a place yet. I was thinking the LEA could say that they just haven't got round to allocating him one yet, although the reason I am annoyed is because no-one can explain why.... There is no guarantee a space will come up close to me so for all I know he is getting pushed further away by not having a place yet.... unlikely but entirely possible!

I also don't think I have valid grounds for appeal? I'm not sure if I can argue the LEa has made a mistake or not followed procedure?

I've badgered them so much they have told me to expect an allocation by early next week - interested to see where for!

And yes, I am bitter that people ahead of him on the list (and I know one of them) have places and didn't follow correct application procedures... eg only risking putting one school down. IMO DS should be a priority over anyone with a place, because he doesn't have one!

This is just a protective mothers opinion though, I know that and we all want our kids to go to our chosen school's! I have a back up plan with the school posted above aswell :)

OP posts:

Blu · 24/06/2015 23:52

The other child you know won't have increased the chances of getting that school by only naming one school. They took a huge risk and we're lucky that he got into that school according to the admissions criteria. Had he not got a place as a sibling or on distance for that one school they would have gone to the back of the queue until all other places had been allocated.

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 25/06/2015 00:19

Sorry I didn't word it well, the child didn't get a place, they are ahead of DS on the waiting list, but were offered another school that they don't want him to go to. The risk failed! I don't know if they accepted that place. So my selfishness says that DS should go ahead by default :D If only eh!?

OP posts:

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 26/06/2015 17:25

Well what a turn up for the books! Got the call today and DS has been offered a place at first pref school I cried on the phone to the council!

OP posts:

Ladymuck · 26/06/2015 17:32

Excellent news. Enjoy uniform shopping and labelling!

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 26/06/2015 17:39

Thanks! I'm just amazed at how a place appeared, coincidentally the week I started massively complaining! Time to move on and yes start the uniform shopping!!

OP posts:

whatsagoodusername · 26/06/2015 17:46

If it makes you feel any better, people will still be rejecting places and moving around for awhile yet.

I only rejected DS's place a few days ago (Greenwich). Actually did it in May, but apparently that rejection didn't stick because we got letters from the school on Monday.

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 26/06/2015 17:53

It's just a crazy system! I'm so excited. DS couldn't give a shit! In fact he's not happy his new uniform is green. Oh well!

OP posts:

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 26/06/2015 18:38

Please don't inadvertently fuel rumours by linking a place being offered to you "coincidentally" with you "massively complaining". A place will have come up after someone advised they were going elsewhere and your DC was first on the waiting list and so has been offered that place. Your story is actually a good example of what other posters have said which is that, in certain areas, there is a lot of movement on waiting lists between offer day and September.

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 26/06/2015 19:26

I'm not inadvertently fuelling any rumours. I have stated my story as it happened. I know that places don't magically appear and I know the process isn't unfairly biased towards anyone. It is a pure coincidence that it happened this week, when you read my opening post from beginning of the week. It is a happy outcome for us.

OP posts:

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 28/06/2015 21:42

Sorry. I read your post of 26/6/15 at 17.39 "I'm just amazed at how a place appeared, coincidentally the week I started massively complaining" as more conspiracy theory than you obviously meant.

NynaevesSister · 29/06/2015 06:08

Rainbow, PRH47Bridge and Admission have both told you that you should appeal all six places. I am going to assume you don't realise they are two of three admissions experts that post on here. Over the last few years I have seen them help a number of people and give out excellent advice on appeals.

In short if they say appeal then a) you have grounds for an appeal and b) it is the best thing for you to do.

If you explain your case Then take whatever tips they, or Tiggytape, offer. They know the process, and the regulations.

Blu · 29/06/2015 06:25

Really pleased your place ce up OP.

It did sound a bit as if you thought it was because you had started massively complaining . Which unless the LA had actually done something wrong and we're putting it right , will not have been the case.

Sorry about the green uniform

NynaevesSister · 29/06/2015 11:14

The second page didn't show when I posted. That happens on my phone sometimes! So glad you got a spot.

Original poster

RainbowSmash · 30/06/2015 23:13

Thanks all :) Very pleased, paperwork completed and returned, I know who DS's teacher is and go for a tour etc next week! And no, I didn't think it was any kind of conspiracy, just a coincidence!

OP posts:

Coupey1 · 28/07/2015 16:35

Just need some advice my son hasn't got a reception place for this September & is on all the waiting list for local schools he is 8th for 1st choice 12 for 2nd choice & 15 for 3rd I know there is movement over the holidays but find it hard to be that much for him to get a place he isn't 5 till may so didn't know if it would be best to keep him on at nursery until a place comes up any advice would be great thank you x

LL0015 · 28/07/2015 17:22

Coupey1
Start a new thread and the experts will come along to help. They may miss it tacked onto this old thread.

Coupey1 · 28/07/2015 17:52

Ok thank you x

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